Research Publications (Food Safety)

This study investigated the occurrence of Bacillus cereus contamination in retail pasteurised and UHT milk from markets in Yangzhou, China, and elucidated quality and safety related phenotypes of B. cereus, including genetic diversity, biofilm formation, bacterial motility, spoilage enzymes and antibiotic resistance. This work assessed the prevalence and risk‐related phenotypes of Bacillus cereus in milk products.

This study, for the first time, systematically investigated 1) the direct and indirect-cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment on the inactivation of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) in different matrices under different working conditions, 2) assessed the inactivation effect in peppercorns using kinetic models, and 3) studied the impact of CAP on food quality, including color, flavor and bioactive compounds.

Brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola is one major disease in harvested peach fruit. Natural volatile compounds (VOCs) produced by antagonistic microorganisms have good biocontrol effects on postharvest fungal diseases.

Introduction

This study examines the optimum conversion of Wuzhishan pig manure by Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) at various phases of development, as well as the impact of gut microbiota on conversion efficiency.

Method and results

Bacillus cereus is a food-borne pathogen that can produce cereulide in the growth period, which causes food poisoning symptoms. Due to its resistance to heat, extreme pH, and proteolytic enzymes, cereulide poses a serious threat to food safety. Temperature, pH, and aw can influence cereulide production, but there is still a lack of research with multi-environmental impacts.

Plants of the genus Prangos are intensively investigated as potential new sources of bioactive isolated products. In this work, the chemical composition of volatile constituents (essential oils and headspace volatiles) and dichloromethane extracts, as well as antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of essential oils and MFDEs (methanol fractions of dichloromethane extracts) of Prangos trifida from Serbia, were investigated.

Probiotics contribute to the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and preventing dysbiosis caused by opportunistic pathogens, such as intestinal helminths. Bacillus cereus GM obtained from Biovicerin® was cultured to obtain spores for in vivo evaluation on experimental schistosomiasis. The assay was performed for 90 days, where all animals were infected with 50 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni on the 15th day.

Bacillus cereus is a foodborne pathogen widely distributed in the large-scale catering industry and produces spores. The study explored the antibacterial activity, potential mechanism of eugenol against B. cereus, and spores with germination rate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 0.6 mg/mL) of eugenol to six B. cereus strains was compared with the control; B. cereus treated with eugenol had a longer lag phase.

The purpose of this study was to reveal the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum extract (PSE) against Bacillus cereus and further analyze the application of PSE in pasteurized milk (PM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values and growth curve analysis were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of PSE against B. cereus.

This study aims to investigate the potential role of lactose on cereulide biosynthesis by emetic Bacillus cereus in dairy matrices. The cereulide yields in whole milk and lactose-free milk were investigated using the emetic reference strain F4810/72. To eliminate the influence of complex food substrates, the LB medium model was further used to characterize the effect of lactose on cereulide produced by F4810/72 and five other emetic B. cereus strains.

Microorganisms are integral components of ecosystems, exerting profound impacts on various facets of human life. The recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Science Summit emphasized the critical importance of comprehending the microbial world to address global challenges, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In agriculture, microbes are pivotal contributors to food production, sustainable energy, and environmental bioremediation.

Liquid egg yolk (LEY) is often treated with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) to improve thermal stability. However, this process may allow certain pathogens to grow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth kinetics of mesophilic Bacillus cereus in LEY during PLA2 treatment. Samples, inoculated with B.

The inhibition of Bacillus cereus in processed cheese (PC) was evaluated and the data showed the inhibitory potential of emulsifying salts with higher P2O5 content. The type of emulsifying salt, the PC processing method and the PC storage temperature influenced bacterial growth. Bacillus contamination in processed cheese (PC) has been reported and can lead to substantial economic consequences.

Feeding animals with lactobacilli strains is a biotechnological strategy to improve production, food quality, and animal health. Thus, this study aimed to select new lactic acid bacteria (LAB) able to improve laying hens health and egg production.

Fluorescence-labeled antibodies and viability indicators are routinely employed in conjunction with flow cytometry (FCM) to rapidly quantify viable target bacteria, ensuring food safety. However, the specific detection of Bacillus cereus, a prominent bacterium causing food poisoning, proves challenging because of its close phylogenetic relationship with other Bacillus species.

by Tingting Li, Qinpei Zou, Cheng Chen, Qin Li, Shuquan Luo, Zhifeng Li, Chuan Yang, Di Yang, Zhi Huang, Huadong Zhang, Wenge Tang, Li Qi Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) is a common cause of foodborne illness. An outbreak of acute gastrointestinal illness occurred at two middle schools in a rural region of Chongqing, China, in 2021. This study aimed to elucidate the outbreak’s characteristics, identify risk factors, and determine the source of contamination.

The most abundant by-product of the brewing industry is beer bagasse (BSG); its high moisture content requires a rapid drying process to stabilize the product. The objective of this work was to carry out the analysis and mathematical modeling of the drying process of thin layer bagasse at temperatures above 60 °C in order to establish adequate processing conditions that assure its safe use and storage as a functional ingredient.

Abstract The fruits of Tamarindus indica L. are consumed worldwide, with various parts of the plant being used for medicinal purposes. The residues (pericarp and seeds) generated during cellulose processing are of significant value as they contain bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities.

Bacillus cereus is important foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning and other non-gastrointestinal infections, which could cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Phages have antibacterial potential to control this pathogen, especially antibiotic resistant ones.

Background The CompactDry “Nissui” BC is a ready-to-use dry media sheet using a chromogenic medium with selective agents for the detection and enumeration of Bacillus cereus in products after incubation at 30 ± 1°C for 24 ± 2 h. Objective The CompactDry “Nissui” BC method was validated to achieve AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM certification.

Chalcone synthase (CHS) is a type III polyketide synthase and a key enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway that generates precursors for flavonoid biosynthesis. The tree species D. gotadhora is known for having an abundance of rohitukine, which has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. In this study, we used the leaves of D. gotadhora to clone CHS gene (DbCHS). The 1188-bp open reading frame (ORF) was part of the 1373-bp full-length DbCHS clone.

Abstract Microbial diversity, final concentration of volatiles compounds during fermentation and the characterization and acceptability of chocolates of three cocoa hybrids (PH 9, PH 15 and PH 16) were evaluated. Hanseniaspora uvarum, Pichia kluyveri, Pichia caribbica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were the predominant yeasts in the three fermentations.

Phages have been approved for use in the food industry to control bacterial contamination in some countries. However, their broader adoption is hindered by some limitations. For instance, the persistence of infectious phages in the food industry can lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria, which negatively impacts the long-term effectiveness of phages. Additionally, the narrow host range of phages limits their effectiveness against various strains.

Rhizosphere microbial communities play an important role in maintaining the health and productivity of the plant host. The rhizobacteria Pseudomonas putida P2 of Ramonda serbica and Bacillus cereus P5 of R. nathaliae were selected for treatment of the Belija wheat cultivar because of their plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties.

Detecting and identifying the origins of foodborne pathogen outbreaks is a challenging. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel method offers a potential solution by enabling efficient screening and identification of various bacteria in one reaction.